4 September 2024, East Kutai, Indonesia – The Sustainable Living Village (SLV) programme was officially launched today in East Kutai, Kalimantan, marking a significant milestone in the collaborative efforts between Apical, a leading vegetable oil processor and Indonesia’s largest exporter of palm oil; Earthworm Foundation, an impact-driven non-profit organisation; and the East Kutai District Government. This partnership is set to drive positive environmental and social change in the East Kutai region.
The SLV programme is a stakeholder-inclusive initiative designed to foster sustainable livelihoods through collaboration with partners, communities and villagers. It focuses on creating positive environmental impacts, bridging critical knowledge gaps and reducing inequality through four key initiatives: improving livelihoods, protecting forests, transforming supply chains and fostering stakeholder collaborations.
The SLV programme aims to equip smallholders with the knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable agricultural practices, develop sustainable alternative livelihoods through cacao cultivation and protect natural landscapes by fostering stakeholder commitment for the conservation and restoration of designated forest areas.
A key component of the programme is empowering smallholders to adopt Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Best Management Practices (BMP) for sustainable oil palm cultivation. It will support smallholders in obtaining the Cultivation Registration Certificate (STDB), which is essential for legal compliance, securing government funding and achieving the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) and Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certifications. In particular, smallholders are expected to improve their farming techniques by transitioning to alternative non-chemical-based fertilisers.
Furthermore, the SLV programme will establish a demonstration plot for cacao farming to help diversify smallholders’ income streams. Cacao, a priority commodity in East Kutai, is renowned for its high quality. In addition to providing GAP training for cacao farming, the SLV programme will facilitate market access for smallholders.
Dean Affandi, Field Programme Lead of the Earthworm Foundation in Indonesia, highlighted the organisation’s commitment to safeguarding nature and supporting communities through sustainable supply chain practices. “Our collaboration with Apical under the SLV programme is a key step towards enhancing our efforts with the government and local communities in the East Kutai District,” Affandi stated. “With Apical’s support, Earthworm Foundation will drive participatory land use planning (PLUP), a collaborative process involving all stakeholders to create land use plans that are socially equitable, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable. This process will pave the way for additional initiatives aimed at protecting 10,000 hectares of land and planting 90,000 trees for forest conservation and restoration, while also delivering significant benefits to local smallholders by the end of the SLV programme.”
In his speech at the launch event, the Head of the Economy and Natural Resources Division, Ripto Widargo S.TP., MT, representing the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bapedda) expressed the government’s alignment with the SLV programme. “The SLV programme by Apical and Earthworm Foundation aligns with our efforts to enhance economic competitiveness through the agricultural sector while championing sustainable practices. As we prepare for economic diversification, the SLV programme represents a significant step forward in strengthening our community’s economy. We believe that this initiative will serve as a valuable model for other regions to emulate.”
First launched in February 2023 in Aceh Singkil District, Sumatra, Indonesia, the SLV programme is a key initiative of Apical’s 2030 sustainability agenda, which aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Apical is committed to supporting 30 villages through the SLV programme by 2030.
Together with its stakeholders, Apical, Earthworm and the East Kutai District Government are steadfast in driving significant positive change in the region, fostering a sustainable and thriving future for the smallholder communities.
About Apical
Apical is a leading vegetable oil processor with an expanding global footprint. Our vertically integrated mid-stream refining and value-added downstream processing makes us an integral supplier that supports the needs of various industries namely food, feed, oleochemicals and renewable fuel, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) which enables a great reduction of CO2 emissions.
With integrated assets in strategic locations spanning Indonesia, China and Spain, Apical operates numerous refineries, oleochemical plants, renewable fuel plants and kernel crushing plants. Through joint ventures and strategic partnerships, Apical also has processing and distribution operations in Brazil, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Middle East, Africa, USA and Vietnam.
Apical’s growth is built on the foundations of sustainability and transparency, and motivated by our strong belief that we can contribute to a circular economy for a more meaningful impact, even as we continue to grow our business and deliver innovative solutions to our customers.
For more information, please visit www.apicalgroup.com.
Media Contact:
Corporate Communications, Apical Group
Email: corpcomms@apicalgroup.com